I don't really like myself without you
After a long day, he spent an even longer night searching for Kvothe. He had no idea where she was and by the time the sun was about to rise in the sky he was crawling back upon his shore. Exhaustion bore deep on his soul as he forces his body to keep going. His legs hurt, his body aches, but he pushes on to check on the herd he had left alone all night. Hopefully Medusa and Zharko had kept them all safe while he was gone. Ironclad doesn’t make it far before he finally breaks down. Tears pour from his greying cheeks, but it was all okay because he was alone. He didn’t want the rest of them to see him this way.
It was the sound of someone nearby the woke up. He wasn’t sure when he had fallen asleep or if this all was just one big nightmare, but he saw her clear as day. Her beautiful golden coat was blending in with the strong orange glow of the sunrise. ”Chalice is that you?” He asks as if she were a ghost. He wasn’t sure with his sleep deprivation if she was truly there or not. Chalice was the one mare he hasn’t seen in the past twenty-four hours. Aside from the stolen Kvothe, but he didn’t want to think about her right now. Ironclad straightens up and forces a smile upon his lips. He couldn’t let her know the pain he has, physical and mental, right now. Chalice had nothing to do with his hurt and she didn’t deserve to be dragged into it.
Heavy eyes flutter to stay open as he steps closer and reaches out his muzzle in greeting. ”How are you doing this beautiful morning? I know the Inlet is no paradise like the Shore can be, but for me it is home. I hope you will one day find it to be home too.” He recalls their lovely stroll through the tropical island of Atlantis. Chalice seemed to like it there much more than she did Tinuvel. Not everyone could survive the cold embrace of this island, but with the help of his herd anyone could push forward. If only they were given the chance to thrive.